MacaFest: Five Years of Runway, Revelry & Radical Self‑Expression at 607 Shore Walk

At 607 Shore Walk—a glass‑walled house where Jeanette Rockefeller once hosted loud, champagne‑filled sing‑alongs on the deck—a new summer tradition has now begun in Fire Island Pines.

Every Memorial‑Day–adjacent weekend since 2021, friends from three continents descend to celebrate Macarena “Maca”, the magnetic Buenos Aires‑born muse who turns a birthday into an ode to maximalist joy.

The tradition, dubbed MacaFest, began almost by accident. In 2020, new owners Sebastián López & Roman Gancberg closed on the historic home just as the world locked down. Small, socially‑distanced gatherings kept spirits afloat, and Maca—already famous for runway‑calibre looks at every party—floated a question: “Can we make my birthday here?” One year later, what started as a playful request blossomed into the unofficial opening of each Pines summer.

A House Built for Parties

Designed in 1965 by modernist architect Harry Bates, the glass box quickly became a social hub. When Jeanette Rockefeller purchased it in 1968, she threw legendary benefits that echoed across the boardwalks: orchestras on the pool deck, fireworks over the Great South Bay, firefighters stationed “just in case.” In the 1970s, owner Ron Martin and his Four Shore Associates unleashed themed bacchanals like Lady Pizza Goes to Havana and Hot Safari, cementing the house’s reputation as a party palace. Half a century later, those same wrap‑around decks provide a perfect runway for the next generation of revelers.

A Different Year, A Different Theme

2021 — Victoria’s Secret Runway
The inaugural MacaFest transformed the deck into a glimmering catwalk. Handmade wings, stiletto‑heeled guests and glitter‑bombed lingerie drew cheers from neighbours leaning over railings. Maca’s candle‑lit moment culminated in a raucous group sing‑along that echoed down Shore Walk. More than just a lively event, this party, held amidst the pandemic, was where a diverse group of individuals converged and, through shared laughter and resilience, became the chosen family that navigates life together in New York City.

2022 — Macaverse / Metaverse
LED‑laced bodysuits flickered beside holographic fabrics while projection‑mapped visuals rippled across the glass façade. The dress code, with its playful embrace of futuristic tech, served as a lighthearted jab at the tech world's obsession with the metaverse, much like a modern-day Feast of Fools, where traditional hierarchies are comically inverted for a day of revelry and release.

2023 — Brides
From cathedral‑length veils to punk‑gothic gowns, every guest said “I do” to couture drama. A rooftop bouquet toss ended with three genuine proposals (two accepted). In a twist worthy of soap opera syndication, dancer Ruy broke his nose mid‑dip—promptly reset by an on‑site doctor before he rejoined the dance‑floor.

2024 — Let Them Eat Cake
Baroque wigs brushed patio lights while macarons piled high. A six‑tier champagne tower toppled at midnight to jubilant cries of “Vive la Reine!” The deck, now rechristened Le Boudoir, echoed with French‑disco mashups till dawn.

2025 — MaCairo
Gold‑leaf paint, Cleopatra headpieces and a pyramid DJ booth transported guests to the banks of the Nile. As dawn broke, revellers draped in lamé fabric formed an impromptu procession down Tuna Walk, their silhouettes mirroring the Hot Safari sunrise of 1977.

How the Magic Happens

Costumes are compulsory, excess is encouraged, and music— courtesy of New‑York and Buenos Aires DJs, close friends —rarely stops before sunrise. Photographers, stylists, architects, artists and engineers converge under the guiding ethos: more is more, community is queen. Each year’s archives now include high‑resolution photo galleries, set‑lists and oral‑history recordings to ensure future historians get every sequin‑flecked detail.

A Legacy of Remarkable Women

From Rockefeller’s piano sing‑alongs to Maca’s rhinestone runways, 607 Shore Walk reminds us that architecture can nurture a spirit of celebration that spans generations—especially when formidable women are at the helm. Whispers have already begun about the sixth edition. Whatever the theme, expect stilettos, sequins and a sunrise that reaffirms why the Pines remains the island where imagination comes to play.